Astronaut Sophie Adenot exited the International Space Station on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, becoming the first French person to perform an extravehicular activity (EVA). Accompanied by American astronaut Anil Menon, her mission was to replace a faulty communication antenna.
At 12:35 UTC, the ISS hatches opened onto space. Sophie Adenot, astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA), crossed the threshold second, behind her more experienced NASA crewmate, Anil Menon. A page of history was being written 400 kilometers above Earth.
From the ground, the operator gave her a few seconds to adjust: "Sophie, you can do some adaptation exercises to get used to your new environment. Welcome to space!" The French astronaut's response was immediate: "I feel great and I'm ready to start." Relaxed, she even shared a few laughs with Anil Menon before getting down to business.
The goal of the spacewalk, scheduled to last six and a half hours, was to replace the Space-to-Ground Antenna (SGANT), a faulty communications device. The component to be handled was no small matter: 1,80 meters long and weighing 90 kilograms, it had to be secured, unscrewed, and transported using the station's robotic arm. The two astronauts used wrenches and screwdrivers, repeating actions they had practiced countless times during training.
A few stubborn bolts caused a delay in the operation. After more than four hours of work, NASA announced that the duo would not be able to complete all of their initially planned objectives. The mission continued despite this setback, their movements remaining precise throughout the entire process.
A second spacewalk is planned for August 25 to complete what could not be accomplished on Tuesday. Sophie Adenot would then have another opportunity to contemplate the Earth from outside the station, a view that the constraints of the mission may not have allowed her to fully appreciate during this first spacewalk.
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